Despite the efforts of linemen Charlie Johnson (74) and Steve Hutchinson (76), Vikings rookie quarterback Christian
Ponder has been sacked eight time in the past two games and often has to throw under heavy pressure.

Look no further than the NFL draft to explain how rookie quarterback Christian Ponder’s passing pockets are shrinking faster than wallets at Christmas time.

The Vikings are making a valid case as the league’s least-invested team in drafting offensive linemen since 2002, when they last chose one in the first round, left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who is now with the Baltimore Ravens after being cut by Minnesota in training camp for excessive weight gain and health concerns.

From 2003-11, 28 NFL teams have drafted at least one offensive lineman in the first round, including 11 teams with two or more. The other three teams that didn’t – Giants, Chargers and Titans – start a combined five second-rounders, two third-rounders and three fourth-rounders from the past eight drafts.

Former first-round pick Steve Hutchinson, a potential hall of fame left guard, was a shrewd free-agent signing for the Vikings in 2006, but Hutchinson is well past his prime at age 34. Alongside him are two sixth-round picks (center John Sullivan, left tackle Charlie Johnson), an undrafted free agent (right guard Anthony Herrera, injured) and second-round pick Phil Loadholt, who has shown promise but still struggles in pass protection.

Joe Berger, a sixth-rounder in 2005, is starting in place of Herrera. The Vikings made the offensive line a priority in 2006 by drafting Ryan Cook in the second round, but the team released him in September. Johnson was drafted by the Colts in 2006 and signed by the Vikings in the preseason.

Though the draft is an inexact science, it can be argued the Vikings’ draft methods have led them to this point: The Vikings rank 27th in the league with 30 sacks allowed, including eight in the past two games as Ponder is constantly forced to throw under duress.

One team that compares to the Vikings’ lack of stockpiling early-round offensive linemen is Tennessee, which starts a second-rounder, two fourths, a fifth and a seventh, all selected since 2004. Tennessee is second in the league with 14 sacks allowed.

To be sure, the Vikings rank sixth in rushing offense at 143.1 yards per game. Sullivan has acquitted himself well in a contract year. Hutchinson and Loadholt are still capable run blockers. Herrera, though oft-injured, is a fierce competitor.

Also, the Vikings have had first-round success with players such as running back Adrian Peterson, wide receiver Percy Harvin and linebacker Chad Greenway.

But if the 2-8 Vikings have a top-three pick in April’s draft, highly touted USC left tackle Matt Kalil will be an inviting – if not glaringly obvious – option.

NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi, a former personnel executive with the Raiders and Browns, said the Vikings would be wise to address the offensive line despite glaring needs in the secondary and at receiver.

“So much of their future depends on the quarterback position, but if you want to give him a real shot, the line is a good place to start,” Lombardi said. “Get a young, talented player they can develop.”

Selecting offensive linemen early and often isn’t always the solution. The 4-6 Seahawks and 3-7 Dolphins each have taken three offensive linemen in the first round since 2003.

But the league’s two best teams, the 10-0 Packers and 9-1 49ers, have selected a combined four linemen in the first round in the past two drafts. Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis, both 2010 selections, protect 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, who is enjoying a career resurgence. Starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga, also a 2010 pick, has bolstered the Packers’ pass protection. In April, the Packers also selected Derek Sherrod, Bulaga’s backup, with the last pick of the first round.

The Vikings could follow a similar blueprint as Green Bay and San Francisco in their rebuilding project, adding quality linemen to the mix of building blocks with Ponder, running back Adrian Peterson, wide receiver Percy Harvin and defensive end Jared Allen.

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